Beats & Bytes – Thanksgiving Music Industry

In Beats + Bytes by Matt Voyno

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Although 2016 has been a tough year there are definitely some bright spots to be thankful for.

Mainly, after almost two decades of relentless decline caused by piracy and falling prices, the music business is enjoying a fragile recovery thanks to the growth of paid streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.

More tickets are selling. More shows are happening. More shows are selling out. Social media and the forward thinking brands have lead to the demand for the experiential economy. Merch numbers are up with better collaborations happening. Vinyl sales are at a 28 year high. New streaming services debuted, record-breaking albums came out, album launch strategies changed and music sponsorship hit an all-time high. There are less barriers for entry for fans and creators and brands and artists are learning to work better together.

These wins all work together to positively effect many aspects of the industry. It’s clear that music is exciting and more relevant than ever with artists like Drake and Beyonce owning a huge part of mainstream culture and emerging artists being able to mobilize their engaged fans.

We have a lot to be grateful in this business of music and the Nue thesis is proving to be true; tech is the savior of the music business and the digital revolution is being won by the consumers. And I expect the space to only grow in these areas in the next few years.

We can all eat to that!

P.S.  Keep a look out for our new CRWN episode with Tribe Called Quest premiering tonight at 6pm EST with Tidal. Email me if you want a promo code to watch.

@JesseKay


BEATS

Trade Group Files Suit Against Azoff’s Global Music Rights On Behalf Of 10,000 Radio Stations
Hypebot

Instagram launches disappearing Live video and messages
TechCrunch

A eulogy for What.cd, the greatest music collection in the history of the world—until it vanished
QZ

The marketing genius behind Snap’s new Spectacles
Recode

Sponsored Songs & Blazoned Brands: The Rise Of Native Ads In The Music Business
Forbes

Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart’s Cooking Show Renewed for Second Season
Pitchfork


 BYTES

LISTEN

In this fascinating interview with Bob Lefsetz he talks about Spotify, streaming, and his creative process. Check it out above.

Recode:
Bob Lefsetz

WATCH

Jesse and Tat talk to the creator of the newest in sports technology with the tech sports helmet “The Mercado.”

Hot In Tech:
The Mercado

GET

Spinlist SongShare allows you to search and share playable songs from within iMessage. Powered by services like Spotify, YouTube and Soundcloud.

Spinlist: iMessage Song Share

CHARGED UP

The elegant Sharon Jones passed away as 2016 got yet another musical casualty. Take a listen to her fantastic NPR performance from last year.

Sharon Jones:
Live on NPR